FOR and 20 groups to Obama: Increase engagement with Syria

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Friday, April 25, 2014, 6:12am

President Obama,

March marked the third year in the ongoing civil war in Syria, which the UN has labeled the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. We know your administration has been actively monitoring the crisis and providing valuable humanitarian aid, but as of yet there is no end to the violence in sight and the costs of war in terms of human lives, economic development, and civil society continue to mount. As religious leaders representing tens of millions of Americans across the country, we are urging you to develop a robust US strategy to help end the violence in Syria through political solutions, provide much needed humanitarian assistance, and protect the human rights of minorities and vulnerable populations.

Drawing on diverse moral traditions, we are well aware of the complexities of war and that there are no simple solutions to the current crisis. Nor is this the only urgent matter on the global stage. But, we also know that failure in Syria is not an option. Even in the face of moral ambiguity and political complexity, there are specific diplomatic actions that can and should be taken. Included among these is ending violence against civilian populations as a critical step toward the overall cessation of hostilities, securing access and protection for humanitarian workers throughout the entire country of Syria, and ensuring meaningful representation in decision making processes of every segment of Syrian civil society, including women and minorities.

It is estimated that over 140,000 people have been killed in Syria since the violence and unrest started in 2011. Included in that number are 11,000 children. Violence against civilian populations - including the use of explosives in heavily populated areas - has gone on unchecked by all sides. Women are especially vulnerable to the threat of sexual violence and orphaned children are defenseless against exploitation and abuse. The US has the political leverage to work with the UN and other nations in the region to advance efforts to end the violence against civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and pursue diplomatic options for a political end to the conflict.

In order for a political process to succeed, both immediate and long term steps must be taken. In the immediate, it is critical that the US and the international community leverage all diplomatic tools possible to facilitate unrestricted access throughout Syria for humanitarian workers, ensuring their safety and ability to provide aid to those most in need. Over nine million people in the country are in need of aid with an estimated three million trapped in regions not easily accessible. In the long term, the stability of Syria is only going to be secured if all Syrians have a role in forging peace and rebuilding their country. This means having the US and international partners ensure that negotiations bring together not only those involved in the armed conflict, but women, minorities, and others who will be impacted by the process.

A robust US strategy to address each of these components - violence against civilians, humanitarian access, and engagement of all of Syrian civil society - is crucial to help bring about an end to the bloodshed and help stabilize an already volatile region. With gratitude for the leadership you have already shown, we urge your administration to take further action to bring this terrible conflict to an end.

As people of faith, we will pray for the people of Syria and for wisdom and courage for you and your Administration as you seek to respond to their plight. We commit to action in our own communities of faith so that neither the Syrian crisis nor the international responsibility to respond to it is forgotten.